Media Releases

Landmark Medicare support for Durack residents living with eating disorder

December 18, 2018

Federal Member for Durack and Minister for the Environment Melissa Price said for the first time, residents in Durack with severe eating disorders will now be able to access a comprehensive treatment plan under Medicare.

“The Federal Government will help people in Durack with an eating disorder get access to life-saving treatment with a $115 million landmark package,” she said.

“Patients will be able to access up to 40 Medicare funded psychological services and 20 dietetic sessions each year, from November 1, next year.

“Eating disorders have one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric illness, with anorexia by far the deadliest mental health condition in Australia. There are around 1 million Australians living with an eating disorder.”

A $110.7 million investment into the first dedicated Medicare item for eating disorders will benefit around 30,000 people each year who are living with these debilitating disorders, helping them to get better and stay out of hospital.

“This will undoubtedly save many lives as eating disorders can be debilitating for both men and women of any age and this illness is one of the many nightmares parents have for their children,” Minister Price said.

“The Federal Government has worked closely with medical experts and key stakeholders for many months to achieve this outcome, and we thank the independent Medicare Benefits Schedule Review Taskforce for their work, following our request for a review last year.

“Our Government will also provide $4 million to the InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders.

“This funding will support new research into better treatment and care for people living with an eating disorder condition,” said Minister Price.

The Federal Government is prioritising better mental health for all Australians with $4.7 billion expected to be spent on mental health this financial year.

The government’s strong economic management ensures the continued investment of record amounts of funding into vital health initiatives including mental health, life-saving medicines, Medicare and public hospitals.